Government Ministers too posh to fly Jetstar?

January 05, 2016 New Zealand Taxpayers' Union

The Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that Ministers are not practicing what they preach in their apparent support for more competition in New Zealand’s skies.

In August, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Transport Minister Simon Bridges welcomed Jetstar’s expansion into the regions. But despite the apparent support, it appears than not a single minister took a Jetstar flight that month. Not even one.

While the Government crows about how Jetstar means better value for consumers, we asked for a breakdown of all taxpayer funded flights taken by Ministers that month. The data reveals that of the $74,503 spend on domestic flights in August alone, not one dollar was spent on the cheaper flights.

Some would say that politicians prefer Koru lounges and canapés than roughing it for a short flight with the rest of us. Others might just prefer Ministers practiced what they preached.

Flights charged in August for Ministerial domestic flights. Costs are GST exclusive.

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